Mayor Stimpson launches new Facebook campaign for South Alabama Stadium

Mayor Stimpson posts support for South Alabama Stadium on Facebook. Source: Mayor's Facebook

MOBILE, AL (WALA) -

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson launched a new Facebook campaign Thursday night. He's trying to convince people it's a good idea to use taxpayer money to help South Alabama build a new on-campus stadium.

The much-anticipated vote is scheduled for Tuesday's City Council meeting. While the mayor feels like they already have the five votes needed -- he still wants people to give their input.

In his post on Facebook, Mayor Stimpson says "A vote for USA Stadium is a vote for: 15,000 USA Students, 6,000 USA Employees, The Senior Bowl, The Dollar General Bowl and future bowls.

"South Alabama has been there for 50 plus years. There have only been two occasions they've asked the City to pitch in -- one was for the Mitchell Cancer Institute and the other is the stadium. The community has a whole lot to gain from South building a stadium and building it soon... And so to me that's a compelling reason," said Stimpson.

Stimpson encourages people to contact their City Council members before next Tuesday's vote. If it passes -- the city would give South Alabama $10-million over the next 20 years. In return South would pitch in $2.5-million for Ladd Peebles Stadium.

While not everyone is a fan of the idea, Stimpson clearly believes it's the right way to go.

"We look at it as an economic development opportunity because of the economic engine that South is... And to be able to assist them in this part of the growth of that university is just something I think the City should do," said Stimpson.

Stimpson says it will also give them time to figure out what upgrades need to happen at Ladd and look at different scenarios to make sure they have community buy-in.

Police believe the 16-year-old suspect is the slain woman's brother and that he had been living with his sister and her husband, a Savannah police officer, Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley told a news conference.

Police believe the 16-year-old suspect is the slain woman's brother and that he had been living with his sister and her husband, a Savannah police officer, Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley told a news conference.